History of South Bend, (Saint Joseph County) Indiana United States of America

Elijah Adams Morse, representative, was born near South Bend, Ind., May 25, 1841; son of the Rev. Abner and Hannah (Pock) Morse. He removed to Massachusetts with his parents in 1852, was educated in the public schools of Sherborn and Holliston, Mass., the Boylston school in Boston, and at Onondaga academy, N.Y. He began to manufacture stove polish in 1856, from a recipe given him by Dr. Charles T. Jackson, . He enlisted in the 4th Massachusetts volunteer infantry as a private in 1861, served in the command of Gen. B. F. Butler in Virginia and under General Banks in Louisiana, and was taken prisoner in the capture of Brashear City, La., Jan. 23, 1863. He resumed the manufacture of steve polish with his brother Abner Leland Morse, at Canton, Mass., and was sole proprietor from 1888. He was a representative in the general court in 1876; state senator 1886-87, and a member of the council of Governor Ames in 1888. He was a representative in the 51st, 52d, 53d and 54th congresses from the twelfth Massachusetts district, 1889-97, and served as chairman of the committee on alcoholic liquor traffic. He was a recognized leader of the temperance cause, in the public schools and social reform. He left by his will $40,000 to eight church, missionary, educational and charitable organizations. He lectured on political, religious, and temperance subjects; was a member of the New England Historic-Genealogical society; the New England Congregational club; the Norfolk club, and the Sons of the American Revolution. He was married Jan. 1, 1868, to Felicia, daughter of Samuel A. Vining of Holbrook, Mass. He died in Canton, Mass., June 5, 1898.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of South Bend, (Saint Joseph County) Indiana

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